Several University of Guelph students, staff and faculty have made this year’s Top 40 Under 40 list published in the current issue of Guelph Life magazine.
The list highlights people aged 40 and under making a difference in Guelph, including the following U of G members:
Prof. Trevor DeVries, Animal Biosciences, holds the Canada Research Chair in Dairy Cattle Behaviour and Welfare. He studies how housing, feeding strategies and nutrition affect health and productivity, and has shared his research at more than 100 industry events around the world.
Population Medicine professor Amy Greer studies disease modelling as co-director of the Decision Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Toronto.
History professor Matthew Hayday has written two books on Canadian language policy, federalism and national identities. He was founding chair of the Canadian Historical Association’s political history group.
Engineering professor Graham Taylor studies how to make computer technology more discerning. He and his students have worked on projects with Google in mobile computing and password-free smartphones.
Assistant women’s rugby coach Jane Kirby is a national rugby team member and has played at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. She is a U of G geography grad.
Interim head football coach Kevin MacNeill served as the team’s defensive coordinator for six years, helping lead the squad to last year’s Yates Cup as Ontario university football champions.
Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) student Julia Nguyen spent her summer in Kenya with Veterinarians Without Borders, helping farmers develop sustainable dairy practices with available resources.
Student Nathan Skoufis teaches at Guelph Family Martial Arts and is a member of Hayabusa’s professional karate team. He has competed across Canada and in the United States at the top level, winning eight world championships.
Prof. Brandon Plattner, Pathobiology, teaches undergraduate and graduate classes, and leads a large research program on Johne’s disease in dairy cattle.
Prof. Michael Rogers, Food Science, studies how to make food more healthful. A recipient of the Young Scientist Award from the International Union of Food Science and Technology, he was an invited expert on the European Union-Canada roundtable on nanotechnologies in the food chain.
Physics sessional lecturer Jason Thomas often brings his alter ego, The Great Orbax, to liven up classes. Thomas and his performing partner hold 22 Guinness World Records for acts including the most motorcycles to jump over Thomas while lying on a bed of nails.
Students Shawn Vickar and Sarah Willson started the Humans of Guelph Facebook page, which has profiled the city’s mayor as well as a Holocaust survivor and a Pan Am Games medalist.
OVC alumni advancement manager Stefanie Sharp has helped the college achieve fundraising goals, and leads group fitness classes on campus.